As of April 1 (2017), the Shepherdstown Visitors Center has a new home. We’ve relocated from our previous location in the Entler Hotel (corner of German and Princess Streets) to just up the street within the historic Free School building (201 S. Princess St.).

Cost-savings, more space, and additional convenience were on the top of our list in making the move. The new building offers up conveniences lacking at the Entler, such as bathroom and kitchen areas dedicated solely for the Center’s use. Additionally, the Center gains three parking spaces behind the building.

“Princess Street is the gateway to the town center, so we’re extremely excited to utilize the new address both as a strategic location for visitors and an enhancement to foot traffic and tourism on this side of town,” said SVC Director, Marianne Davis.

The Free School building was built in 1848 after Jefferson County authorized the establishment of a 24-district free school system the previous year. It was used as a school until 1881, when the County’s school districts were consolidated. The Visitors Center’s new landlord will be Shepherd University, which has owned the Free School building since the 1960s. The building was thoroughly renovated in recent years, and boasts a fully modernized interior.

“This is both an opportunity and a testament to two things: a continuing close relationship with the university, as it becomes more a part of the community in the last couple of years, as well as a vote of confidence in Princess Street as it becomes more a part of the main drag,” Davis added.

“We also aim to eventually offer this as a community space for groups that meet on certain days/evenings—to allow for a more community feel to town residents. We’re hoping to open our doors to the community even more so. We’ll still be open every day from ten to four, but we want it to be more of a presence for residents as well as visitors.”

Ultimately, SVC outgrew their old space, and they also needed more flexibility. “We need to use it in new ways,” Davis explained. “We’re literally and figuratively turning the corner. We certainly aren’t giving anything up; we just have a new story to tell.”

For more information, call 304-876-2786, and find Shepherdstown Visitors Center on Facebook.